Frazier started games at 4 different OL spots in college, and that versatility is a key reason why the Lions drafted him from LSU in the fifth round
Lions fifth-round draft pick Miles Frazier was LSU’s starting right guard for the last two seasons, part of a “Bomb Squad” Tigers line that saw four starts drafted this weekend. But Frazier hasn’t always been a right guard, and his positional versatility is what helped attract the Lions draft interest in the fifth round.
Frazier began his college career as the starting left tackle at Florida International. He was good enough to earn Freshman All-American honors, which helped him climb the college football ladder to LSU. That first season (2022) in Baton Rouge, Frazier primarily played left guard.
“I played guard mainly at LSU, but I’ve also played tackle, I’ve started – although I didn’t play that too much until the bowl game, and after that was the Senior Bowl where I was going from tight tackle to right guard and back and forth,” Frazier said in his introductory press briefing. “I just think the versatility speaks for itself when you watch my tape. If anything happens, at any moment, I’m able to jump to left side, left guard, right guard, right tackle, left tackle.”
Frazier believes he can also adapt to playing center, even though it’s the one position he’s not played in a game before.
“The only position I haven’t played is center, but I’m open to that too. But I would just say – and also, not a lot of people know, but I was the backup – I was the starting right guard, but the backup tackle or both sides, so my coaches put a lot of trust in me to have that versatility at the highest level, and I feel like I can definitely do it.”
A trial at center is something the Lions already have in the plans for Frazier and second-rounder Tate Ratledge, who has played the same right guard spot throughout his Georgia career. Lions GM Brad Holmes noted in his press conference that OL coach and run game coordinator Hank Fraley is ready to work with all the linemen on enhancing their versatility.
“(Fraley) is going to cross-train all of those guys, so if they’ve only been at guard, he’s going to put a ball between their legs and see if they can snap,” Holmes said Saturday.
That’s where Frazier’s background helps him stand out in a group of four players (Ratledge, Frazier, Christian Mahogany, Graham Glasgow) who are all at their best at the same right guard position.
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